Not Benzema – Arsenal Set To Sign 25 Goals 10 Assists £80,000-A-Week Striker

Arsenal are reportedly ardently pursuing Real Madrid’s prolific goalscorer Karim Benzema, as boss Arsene Wenger wants to bolster his attack in order to have a chance of grabbing another silverware –  especially the Premier League – this season.

The Gunners have had an initial bid rebuffed by Los Blancos and a £45m offer has been offered again by the Gunners. However, if this bid also gets snubbed by the Spanish giants, Arsenal have a back-up option.

According to the Daily Star, Arsenal will turn their attentions to Borussia Dortmund’s forward Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang if Real turn down their £45m offer for Benzema. Italian journalist Emanuel Giulanelli has claimed the Gunners have tabled an offer for the 27-year old France international striker, although Real have not decided whether to cash in on him.

With the transfer window drawing to a close, Arsenal have swiftly moved to pinpoint an alternative if the Benzema transfer finally hits a snag.

Giulanelli (@EmaGiulanelli) wrote on Twitter: “As I told yesterday, Benzema deal is on. Arsenal is thinking about alternatives if the time runs out.

“Aubameyang, the alternative to Arsenal for Benzema. If Benzema doesn’t materialise.”

Arsenal’s need for a top-notch forward was further re-echoed last week by former player Ray Parlour: “That is a position they’ve got to look at. Everyone is going to jump on the bandwagon now but it’s a long, hard season and there’s a long way to go.

“If you look at Man City you know Sergio Aguero is their main man, for Manchester United it’s Wayne Rooney and at Chelsea it’s Diego Costa. Who is it at Arsenal?”

Aubameyang has the kind of versatility Wenger would like – as he can play anywhere across the front line – and also has the pace and strength which the French gaffer has always wanted in his strikers.

However, the Gunners could face problems – but not as much as the one they could face for Benzema – if they are to sign the 25-year old Gabon international star, as the player signed a new deal at the Westfalenstadion two weeks ago. He has now committed himself to the club until 2020.

Telegraph cites report in Italy, saying the move to tie Aubameyang to a new deal is to ensure a good price for the former AC Milan forward when Arsenal come calling, should they fail to land Real Madrid’s Benzema. The Gunners have money to spend, having signed only Cech for £10.9m this summer and Aubameyang’s versatility would definitely help Arsenal.